In the mayhem called the USA, many people have little time to appreciate the main person they should. People across the country find time to think about issues that a celebrity is facing. Many people send thoughts and prayers to people in other countries wishing them good health. All of these deeds are on the side of good. It is time for everyone to pull back some of those good thoughts and apply them to the most important person they know. Americans of all colors, it is time to celebrate, love and appreciate yourself. Loving yourself is more than getting up and grooming to look good at work.
Loving oneself is taking the time to understand what is going on inside your head and why. There are many people who expend all of their energy of love and caring on other people. This is fine, but what about the love for themselves? It is a great thing to be compassionate and a shoulder to lean on for others. The downfall is that many people often wear themselves out doing this and have no love, or time, for themselves.
There are many distractions in the USA today. If you watch the news you are bombarded with issues that often occupy your thoughts. Social media constantly depicts what others are doing. If you are reading the news or on social media, you will find your thoughts going out to others. Either you will be judging other people’s actions or feeling some type of emotion about what they are doing or going through. It is normal human nature to show compassion for others in their time of need. The issue is, while many care for others in their time of need, these same people forget to care for themselves.
A person must take time every day to step away from other people and their issues. It is okay to be a rock for your family and friends. But, remember to be a boulder for yourself. The burdens many people pick up while listening, thinking or trying to help others will inadvertently cause future health issues. Everyone needs to step away from issues and concerns that are not their own. The need and addiction to other people’s pain has made many people in the USA misery junkies. True, many of these misery junkies do help the people who are in need. But at what cost? What good is being there for friends or family and then burning out at 55? What good is it to be called a good listener and problem solver, but your blood pressure is passing 200? Many people have health issues brought on by picking up burdens that are not their own making.
Over the years I have watched people waste valuable mental energy and time worrying about what celebrities do. With the advent of social media, everyone is in everyone else’s business. If you listen to a person’s problems, invariably they become yours. What good is it to think about what some movie star is going through? What good is it to worry about the plight of people two continents away? No good. That mental energy could be refocused on the person who you will take with you to the grave.
One main reason people are quick to adopt other people’s issues is that it keeps them from looking at themselves. It is convenient to tend another garden and not have to reseed your own. You can run from your mind and it will let you. But, all the goodness towards others in the world will not keep your mind from catching you when you least expect it. Do not be scared to look into the mirror on all levels of existence. This will make you a better confidant to others.
Take the time to treat yourself good. Pat yourself on the back and profess love for yourself. Analyze your mind and clear your own issues out before you tend to others. When it is all said and done, you are all you have.
Frank James IV © 2023
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.